Spanish children face worsening poverty amid crisis

Patricia Martin (second, right) pose wtih her husband (centre) and children on a bench near their home in Vallecas, a neighborhood of Madrid on May 21, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

MADRID (AFP) - Even before Spain's economic crisis engulfed her home, Patricia Martin struggled to provide for her three children on her husband's street sweeper salary of around 900 euros (S$1,500) a month.

But after his hours were slashed and his income halved two years ago, the family has slipped dangerously towards a life of destitution in their tiny flat in Vallecas, a working class neighbourhood in southern Madrid.

The couple is facing eviction for not paying their rent for over a year and relies on food banks to feed their children.

When it rains, Martin keeps her children at home instead of having them walk one hour to school because they cannot afford the bus fare.